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Western’s Commitment
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Western's Commitment to Excellence

As a leader in the region and in the state, Western demonstrates commitment to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people that we serve.

We expect to set the standard for excellence in student development and community leadership.

• Western commits 83% of the university budget directly to student instruction and support of students, among the highest in the state.

• Western’s focus on recruitment in its strategic plan has resulted in an enrollment increase in several categories.

• In addition to Western’s university accreditation, 24 degree programs are accredited by their professional national associations.

• The Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator opened on Western’s campus in 2008. The 25,000 sq. ft. incubator provides custom-outfitted space and support for entrepreneurs in the early stages of commercial development.

• For the past eight years, the placement rate for students seeking entry into medical school has remained above the national average.

• Western committed more than $5.6 million of university funds to student scholarships in 2007-2008.

• The MWSU Foundation awarded 580 students more than $460,000 in scholarships last year.

Rooted in the Community
With its roots in a five-county contiguous region of northwest Missouri, Western has proudly served the higher education needs of its constituencies since 1915. Originally founded as St. Joseph Junior College to provide a two-year liberal arts transfer program, Western was transformed into a four-year college in 1969 and became a full member of the State of Missouri system in 1977.

Western received university designation effective August 28, 2005, and changed its name to Missouri Western State University. The university is authorized under Missouri statutes to offer master’s programs, four-year baccalaureate programs, two-year associate degrees, preprofessional transfer programs and one-year certificates. In addition, the University offers continuing education courses, seminars, conferences and workshops suited to the needs of the community and serving groups throughout the nation.

MWSU Foundation
The Missouri Western State University Foundation was established in 1969 as a separate entity to promote private giving to help the university move into the forefront of public higher education. The Foundation encourages, holds, invests and disburses private gifts of cash, securities, appreciated assets and personal property, all toward the goal of providing services, programs and facilities that strengthen the mission of the university. These resources supplement the public funds available to the University to provide the added “Margin of Excellence.”